Employment Associate

Date: 8 May 2024

Location: Guernsey, GG, GY1 1AR Jersey, JE, JE4 8PN

Company: Walkers Global

Walkers is a leading international law and professional services firm providing legal, corporate and fiduciary services to global corporations, financial institutions, capital market participants and investment fund managers. With a global presence spanning the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we advise on the jurisdictions of Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Ireland and Jersey.

Walkers treat everyone as the intelligent grown-ups they are. We take a grown-up approach to getting the job done – trusting and empowering our people to deliver consistently, and enabling them to succeed. Diversity is our secret weapon – it’s the sheer breadth of Walkers people that makes us who we are – gathered from across the globe and fluent in languages, jurisdictions and cultures that help us to mirror our clients and keep our own thinking in tune with the world we operate in.

Overview of role

Walkers is offering a unique opportunity to an ambitious and technically strong lawyer to join its Employment business, and to assist building out its Channel Islands' Employment practice so as to become the leading practice across the Channel Islands.

The successful candidate can be based in Jersey or Guernsey and will work alongside leading practitioners in the Channel Islands in expanding out the Employment practice in line with the general expansion across all of the Firm's practice groups.

Duties, Responsibilities & Person Specification

  • Advise on the full range of employment law matters in Guernsey and Jersey, with a focus on advising employers generally on their rights/duties under Guernsey and Jersey law; drafting and amending contractual documentation and policies; business licensing, housing and immigration; assisting corporate teams with due diligence and transaction support; and the full scope of advising on, preparing for and supporting employment litigation in the local tribunals and Royal Court.
  • Proactively assist in developing and expanding client relationships important to the Firm’s success, at the same time becoming a valued resource to clients. This will involve being actively involved in   the development of relationships with core clients and participating in associate-led business development initiatives.
  • Participate in the development of the practice’s know-how, and actively participate in thought leadership events such as conferences, seminars, client presentations and internal training. This will include regular trips to participate in events in both islands.
  • Provide technically sound advice and a highly responsive service to clients and support colleagues, senior counsel and partners on all client matters.
  • Maintain a sustained record of revenue generation and profitability, follow recommended billing rates, manage costs appropriately and ensure personal utilization meets expectations.
  • Adhere to the Firm's values and professional ethics and proactively seek resolution of conflicts.

Education, Skills & Experience

  • Qualified lawyer with between 1- 3 years PQE most/all of which spent advising on employment law in the Channel Islands or UK.
  • Excellent academics.
  • Ambitious and commercially driven, open to new opportunities and self-motivated.
  • Solid legal skills and strong technical knowledge of employment law (whether in Jersey, Guernsey or UK) with an appropriate understanding of the needs of financial services clients.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work successfully in a collaborative environment, a team player, willing to support others regardless of  personal role or task and to help others in identifying needs and crafting development plans.
  • High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
  • Guernsey, Jersey and/or UK jurisdiction experience and/or familiarity with offshore financial service providers preferred but not essential.
  • Ability to use legal precedents and timekeeping and billing systems.
  • Ability to support efforts to attract new clients and develop new initiatives.

Walkers global is an equal opportunity employer. Equality and diversity are key to our global identity and an integral part of our goal to continue being an employer of choice. We are committed to a work environment that supports all individuals irrespective of gender, ethnicity, nationality, race, religion, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. We make every effort to ensure that employment opportunities are open and accessible to all purely on the basis of personal ability.